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China News Digest - US Regional Services (Bo Xiong) --------------- Date: Mon, 31 Jul 1995 05:22:06 GMT Reply-To: ifcss Sender: Newsletter on Chinese Community From: ifcss Subject: HQ708 Comments: To: pbs-l@ifcss.org, council-l@ifcss.org Comments: cc: china-nt@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU To: Multiple recipients of list CCNL Status: RO &=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&= HEADQUARTERS NEWSRELEASE * HEADQUARTERS NEWSRELEASE * HEADQUARTERS NEWSREL &^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^ * * * N E W S R E L E A S E 7008 * * * _________ July 30, 1995 __________ [[[[[[ [[[[[[[[[[ [[[[[[ [[[[[[[ [[[[[[[ ______ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ _________ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[[[[[[ [[[ [[[[[ [[[[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[[[ [[[[[ ______ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ ____ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[ [[[[ [[[ [[[[ [[[ [[[[[[ [[[[[[ [[[[[[[ [[[[[[[[ [[[[[[[[ &^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^ IFCSS Foundation, Inc. 733 15th Street, NW Suite 440 Washington, DC 20005 Tel: (202) 347-0017 Fax: (202) 347-0018 &=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&=&= 1. Update Information of House Bill H.R.1915 Since the mark-up of the House bill H.R.1915 started on July 11, the Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee completed this process on July 20 after several late night debates and negotiations. There was a widespread panic in D.C. that the Bill would be sent to Full Judiciary Committee for voting before the upcoming congressional recess because Lamar Smith, who brought this bill into the House demanded that the bill be voted within one week before the recess. IFCSS President Xing Zheng expressed great appreciation to several major lobby group leaders over phone conversation yesterday. Due to vigorous lobby both in Capitol Hill and in the States, the Chair of Judiciary Committee, Mr. Henry Hyde of Illinois, has been pushed to agree that the mark-up of the bill at the Full Judiciary Committee, will be postponed until early September. Therefore, more time has been left for national campaign at all levels throughout the congressional recess. Since the IFCSS Headquarters (HQ) announced the decision to organize and coordinate nationwide campaign for lobbying legislators in Congress, the HQ has received numerous inquiry, suggestion, support from many concerned individuals. The HQ is also very pleased to see several organizations/groups from Chinese student and scholars (CSS) community have joined in current campaign. In order to fully mobilize re- sources and the grassroots CSS, the HQ pleads for cooperation and co- ordinated actions in the future for the common cause. The IFCSS Task Forse is also seeking wide cooperation with other national organizations. 2. The IFCSS H.R.1915 Task Force did extensive study in the past week to compile the information of comparison of current bill and the amendment in Smith bill H.R.1915. We present a partial list of the results which may impose the working and immigration opportunities of Chinese students and scholars for your reference. For detailed information, please contact the IFCSS Headquarters. 3. The IFCSS H.R.1915 Task Force Lobby Agenda The IFCSS H.R.1915 Task Force has taken actions in the past two weeks, and joined in certain major lobbying groups in the Capitol Hill. The IFCSS Task Force appeals to all CSS nationwide to take immediate actions by joining in the coordinated campaign.The campaign strategists point out that it might be rather difficult to totally block Smith Bill H.R.1915, because of the growing national emotion against immigration from the top down to the earth nowadays in this country,and approaching to the election year. However, the vigorous and effective lobby will be very likely to show the legislators our grave concern and dismay, therefore, this bill could eventually evolve healthier and be improved during its process of mark-up. Thus, no matter how stern the situation will be, we have no reason to giveup at any stage. The following is IFCSS Task Force's agenda and suggestion: (1). Send your letters or make phone calls to representatives at Judiciary Committee of your district. The phone numbers of their D.C. offic and District's offices are listed at the end of this news release. (Sample letters will be available in the following news releases or you may contact the HQ). (2). Send your letters or make phone calls to local news media, to ex- press your concern; (3). Send your letters or make phone calls to the employment department or personnel office if you are working for a company, especially when your company is hiring a substantial proportion of foreign employees. (4). The IFCSS HQ is planing on-site lobby in Capitol Hill in early September. (5). The IFCSS HQ is planing a "National Lobby Day" in early September; we appeal to all members to participate (detail will be released later). (6). The IFCSS HQ is establishing a partnership with the general legal counsel for lobbying corporations; 4. Comparison of Current Immigration Law and the Law Amended by House Bill H.R.1915 Notes: (C): Current Law (S): Amended in Smith Bill H.R.1915 Total Immigration (C). More than 800,000/year including refugees. (S). 535,000 for family-sponsored, employment based, and humanitarian immigrants, plus 50,000 backlog relative immigrants in transition period, bringing total to 585,000. Immigrant Workers (C). Employers may petition for up to 40,000 priority workers and 80,000 non-priority workers per year. (S). Employers may petition for up to 15,000 highly skilled workers, 60,000 very highly skilled workers, 45,000 professional and skilled workers, 10,000 investors, and 5,000 special immigrants. No unskilled workers. Relative Petitions (C). U.S.citizens may petition for their minor and adult children, spouses, parents, and siblings. Legal remnant residents may petition for their spouses, minor children and adult unmarried children. (S). Emphasizes the nuclear family. US. citizens may petition for their minor children, spouses, and parents. Legal permanent residents may petition for their spouses and unmarried children. Level of Family-Sponsored Immigrants (C). Annual admissions limited to greater of (a) 480,000 or (b) immediate relatives of US. citizens plus 226,000 other. This is peaceable cap which actually leaves immediate relative immigrants unlimited. (S). No numerical limit on admission o spouses and children of US. citizens. Total number of family sponsored immigrants not to exceed 330,000 per year. In addition, allows for 50,000 relatives of legal permanent residents to reduce the backlog. Employment Verification System (C). None. Employer keeps copy of I-9. (S). Pilot program is five of seven states to test system off confirmation of worker eligibility through telephone or electronic process. Sponsorship (C). Affidavit of support is only a moral obligation. (S). Affidavits of support by sponsors would be legally enforceable. Public Charge Definition: (C). Not defined. (S). An alien would be deemed a public charge and deportable if the alien received public assistance for an aggregate of 12 months within 7 years of entry or admission. Exclusion of Immigrants Suspected of Public Charge (C). Unenforceable financial guarantee from sponsor. At the time of application, consular officer must conclude alien is "likely" to become a public charge. (S). Any alien who cannot show at the time of entry that they are unlikely to become a public charge are inadmissible. "SAVE" Program (C). States must verify eligibility of alien applicants for certain federally funded benefits. (S). Sponsor's income and resources are applied to the aliens for eligibility for means-tested public benefits program. Sponsor's affidavit of support is legally enforceable as a contract. Penalties for Not Leaving (C). Failure to leave after a final deportation order is a felony with prison sentence of not more than four years. (S). In addition to the penalties specified in current law, an alien shall pay a civil penalty of not more than $500 a day for each day the alien is in violation of the deportation order. Visa Fraud (C). Alien is subject to up to five years incarceration. (S). Alien is subject to up to ten years incarceration. Privilege of Re-Entry after Deportation (C). Aliens who have been deported may not reenter for five years. (S). Aliens who have been deported may not reenter for ten years. Loss of Opportunity to Obtain Legal Status (C). After deportation must wait five years. (S). Loss opportunity for ten years after illegal entry. 5. Information on 35 members of House Judiciary Committee (if you need any more information which is not listed below, please contact the IFCSS HQ at: 202 347 0017) Republicans (20) D.C. Offices Fax District 2138 RHOB 202 225 3951 202 225 7682 Henry Hyde (Chair), IL 202 225 4561 202 225 1166 708 832 5950 Carlos Moorhead, CA 202 225 4176 202 226 1279 818 792 6168 Jim Sensenbrenner, WI 202 225 5101 202 225 3190 414 784 1111 Bill McCollum, FL 202 225 2176 202 225 0999 407 872 1962 George Gekas, PA 202 225 4315 202 225 9440 717 541 5507, 717 367 6731, 717 273 1451 Howard Coble, NC 202 225 3065 202 225 8611 910 229 0159, 910 626 3060, 910 333 5005, 704 246 8230 Lamar Smith, TX 202 225 4236 202 225 8628 512 895 1414, 210 821 5024, 915 653 3971, 512 218 4221 Steven Schiff, NM 202 225 6316 202 225 4975 505 766 2538 Elton Gallegly, CA 202 225 5811 202 225 1100 805 485 2300 Charles Canady, FL 202 225 1252 202 225 2279 813 688 2651 Bob Inglis, SC 202 225 6030 202 226 1177 803 427 2205, 803 582 6422, 803 232 1141 Bob Goodlatte, VA 202 225 5431 202 225 9681 703 857 2672, 703 885 3861, 703 432 2391, 804 845 8306 Steve Buyer, IN 202 225 5037 314 454 7551, 219 583 9819 Martin Hoke, OH 202 225 5871 202 226 0994 216 356 2010 Sonny Bobo, CA 202 225 5330 202 225 2961 619 320 1076 Fred Heineman, NC 202 225 1784 202 225 3269 919 571 4661 Ed Bryant, TN 202 225 2811 202 225 2814 901 382 5811, 615 503 0391 Steve Chabot, OH 202 225 2216 202 225 3012 513 684 2723 Michael Flanagan, IL 202 225 4061 202 225 3128 312 588 2288 Bob Barr, GA 202 225 2931 202 225 2944 404 429 1776, 706 290 1776, 404 836 1776, 706 812 1776 Democrats: (15) B351C RHOB: 202 225 6906 John Conyers, MI 202 225 5126 202 225 0072 313 961 5670 Patricia Schroeder, CO 202 225 4431 202 225 5842 303 866 1230 Barney Frank, MA 202 225 5931 202 225 0182 508 674 3551, 617 332 3920, 508 999 6462, 508 697 9403 Charles Schumer, NY 202 225 6616 202 225 4183 718 627 9700 Howard Berman, CA 202 225 4695 202 225 5279 818 891 0543 Rick Boucher, VA 202 225 3861 202 225 0442 703 980 4310, 703 628 1145, 703 523 5450 John Bryant, TX 202 225 2231 202 225 0327 214 767 6554 Jack Reed, RI 202 225 2735 202 225 9580 401 943 3100 Jerrold Nadler, NY 202 225 5635 202 225 6923 212 489 3530, 718 373 3198 Robert Scott, VA 202 225 8351 202 225 8354 804 380 1000, 804 644 4845 Melvin Watt, NC 202 225 1510 202 225 1512 704 344 9950, 910 379 9403, 919 688 3004 Xavier Becerra, CA 202 225 6235 202 225 2202 213 550 8962 Jose Serrano, NY 202 225 4361 202 225 6001 718 538 5400 Zoe Lofgren, CA 202 225 3072 202 225 3336 408 271 8700 Sheila Jackson Lee, TX 202 225 3816 202 225 3317 713 655 0050 Note: Due to unexpected and unpaid huge amount phone bill, the long distance phone line at the IFCSS HQ office was cut off by MCI. You still can call the HQ office but we will be unable to return the call before the service is resumed. We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. ********************************************************************* * PBS-L is IFCSS's news distribution list for individuals. To sign * * on or off from the list, please send email to listserv@ifcss.org * * leave the subject line open and put in the mail body: * * (For signing on) sub PBS-L last name first name * * (For signing off) unsub PBS-L last name first name * * For more information about IFCSS, write to ifcss-info@ifcss.org * *********************************************************************